To go into effect from 16 January, Instagram's new privacy policy reveals that the company will start sharing data with Facebook, following the social network's acquisition of the firm back in April.

The update policy reads, "We may share User Content and your information (including but not limited to, information from cookies, log files, device identifiers, location data, and usage data) with businesses that are legally part of the same group of companies that Instagram is part of, or that become part of that group ("Affiliates").

"Affiliates may use this information to help provide, understand, and improve the Service (including by providing analytics) and Affiliates' own services (including by providing you with better and more relevant experiences)."

However, Instagram is quick to point out that users will be able to choose who sees their Instagram photos, and says users can opt out of posting all of their images on Facebook. Thank god.

This move doesn't come as much of a surprise, given that following its acqusition of the firm Facebook moved Instagram staffers into its office and has been working closely alongside them.